Matthew Vassar recorded in his diary: "Awful intellingence this Morning, Lincoln & Seward Assasinated Both dead, other members of Sewards family Injured by the Assassins—The whole Country in Sadness and Mourning—our City draped in Mourning—Such is the sensibility & feeling but few persons are seen in the Streets….”

Wednesday, April 19, 1865 “A Memorial Day—A day never to be forgotten, people sad, stores all closed, the whole City draped in Deep Mourning. Largest Procession of Citizens ever seen in Po. at 2 Ock P M. Church services held in the Morning . Immense Attendance—Dr. Raymond dined with us." Elizabeth Hazelton Haight, ed., Autobiography and Letters of Matthew Vassar